Loving You Too Long

Reluctantly, Haisley lifted her head, looking at him just as sharply. “It’s none of your business when or why I cut my hair. Seeking attention?” Haisley snorted in annoyance. “Yes, I deliberately seek attention. I even intend to beautify myself and improve my appearance so that I can look sexier and attract many men’s attention here.

“Do you remember what your mother said earlier, that I should date many men? Well, I will do it. Then after that, you will call me a cheap woman. And you know, I don’t mind hearing that. So now, let go of my hand. I want to sleep,” Haisley snapped, yanking her hand away, but Nathan’s grip was tight, making it not easy for Haisley to break free. “Nathan!” Haisley growled in frustration.

“What about Dean?” he asked, his mouth tightly closed. “Are you planning to date many men behind his back? Are you planning to betray him?” he accused, angrily.

Haisley lifted the corner of her mouth. “I’ve told you my affairs have nothing to do with you,” she hissed.

“He’s my brother,” Nathan replied angrily.

“And he is my boyfriend. So what’s the problem? If he accepts me dating many men behind him, then we’ll continue this relationship. If not, we’ll just break up. It’s that simple, Nath. Because, as your mother said, I only need to be faithful to the man who will be my husband later.” Haisley then pushed Nathan’s hand that was gripping her arm. Luckily, he let go.

Haisley then grabbed her bag, which had fallen to the floor, and quickly ran into the house, heading straight to her room. She didn’t care if her actions would wake up the people in the house. She just needed to apologize afterward.

With restrained anger, Nathan also walked into the house and watched Haisley run away from him. The girl seemed to hurry into her room and lock the door from the inside.

“Isn’t jealousy something unpleasant, Nath?” The voice came from one corner of the dimly lit room. His mother stood behind the bar counter with a glass in her hand. Nathan could see her because the light from the garden provided a little illumination towards the kitchen.

A few hours earlier.

Today was the day when Nathan’s parents were due to arrive for their second visit. Nathan intentionally asked his secretary to postpone the meeting scheduled after 4 PM because he planned to leave home early. He just wanted to make sure everything was in order at home before his parents arrived and started meddling in various things. Gilbert had already promised to pick them up from the airport, so Nathan didn’t need to call a driver to fetch them. As he stepped out of the lobby, he saw Loretta walking towards him.

“Nath, where are you going?” she asked, puzzled.

“Home,” Nathan replied, flatly as usual.

“Why? Are you sick?” she asked, concerned. Loretta reached out her hand to touch Nathan’s forehead, but he declined.

“My parents are coming, so I need to go home early,” he stated matter-of-factly.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Your mom and dad?” Loretta asked eagerly. Nathan just nodded. He chose to continue walking, and Loretta followed him. She walked alongside him, still looking enthusiastic. “Are we going to pick them up from the airport?” she asked again.

Nathan shook his head. “Gilbert is picking them up,” he said, flatly.

Loretta extended her hands and held onto Nathan’s arm. “We should pick them up, Natha. You and I. I don’t want to be seen as disrespectful and indifferent to their arrival,” she pouted.

“I think it’s unnecessary. Gilbert is already on his way there, and you can meet my parents tomorrow. There isn’t much time left if you meet them now. They must be tired and want to rest,” Nathan said, still maintaining his indifferent demeanor. But Loretta grabbed his arm again and shook it with a cute, pleading expression.

“I don’t want your mom to think I’m an inconsiderate daughter-in-law, Nath. Please, let’s go pick them up. At least, I want to make a good impression on your parents. Especially your mom,” she said, imploringly.

Nathan felt irritated. However, what Loretta said made sense. “I still need to go home and change,” he said. Loretta nodded in agreement and followed Nathan.

They then got into Nathan’s car, which had been brought by a valet.

Nathan wasn’t a talkative person, and Loretta knew that. So during the journey from the office to his residence, they remained in silence.

As Nathan had mentioned earlier, he went home, took a shower, and changed his clothes. After that, he headed back to the airport to pick up his parents, even though he thought it was a futile gesture since Gilbert would undoubtedly be picking them up there as well.

They arrived at the airport, once again the journey filled with silence. Upon reaching the waiting area, Loretta, who was walking with her right arm around Nathan’s arm, now patted his upper arm.

“Nath, isn’t that Gilbert?” she asked, pointing to a tall, burly man sitting with a petite girl with short black hair. “Is that his girlfriend?” she asked again when she saw Gilbert wrap his left arm around the girl’s shoulder and gently tap their heads together. “They’re so affectionate,” Loretta said enthusiastically. “Is Gilbert planning to introduce his girlfriend to your parents too? We can’t fall behind, Nath. Come on,” she said, pulling Nathan’s arm to make them walk faster.

They approached, and then Loretta realized that it wasn’t Gilbert’s girlfriend but… “G, Haisley, you’re here too?” she changed her question at the last moment.

Just like Nathan and Loretta, they were surprised by the girl they thought was Gilbert’s girlfriend, who turned out to be Haisley. Both of them seemed taken aback by Nathan and Loretta’s presence, and even Gilbert didn’t hide his displeasure.

“What are you guys doing here?” he asked, his sharp gaze directed straight at Nathan. But instead of answering his younger brother’s question, Nathan found himself staring at Haisley. The girl and her newly cut hair.

What was she doing with her beautiful hair? Why did she cut it so short? Nathan asked, a sudden pang of irritation creeping into his heart.

“Why are you here?” Gilbert’s question redirected Nathan’s attention from the girl, who was clearly avoiding looking at him. Loretta helped Nathan respond to his brother’s curt question. Nathan kept his eyes on Haisley, who still refused to meet his gaze. Was she playing with fire now? After previously admitting to being involved with Dean and Gilbert, she was now openly standing here and intending to meet his parents? What kind of game was this petite girl going to play?